Seven Family Members, Including Three Children, Executed in South Africa Shooting

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli and the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi are currently paying a comfort visit to the Khambule family at Hlokozi in Highflats where seven family members were shot and killed last night. ME

Unknown gunmen shot and killed seven members of the same family, including a 5-year-old boy, in an execution-style attack at their home in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, police reported Thursday.

The shooting occurred Wednesday night in the Highflats area, about 50 miles northwest of Durban. Among the victims was a woman, around 55 years old, and three children. The assailants reportedly fired 25 bullets, with some victims shot in the head while lying on the floor.

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli and the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi described the attack as a "planned execution." The gunmen entered the home while the family was watching TV, forcing a family member outside to knock on the door before opening fire.

Authorities are investigating the motive behind the killings and have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with nearly 6,200 people murdered between April and June of this year.